Redarc BCDC1220 performance on trip - feedback
Submitted: Friday, Sep 30, 2011 at 23:42
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Sandman
Well we've just returned after a 4000km trip from
Alice Springs to
Broome (across the Tanami) and back via
Halls Creek. I'd recently replaced the solenoid (redarc) that was charging the 2nd battery as I just wasn't convinced the 2nd battery was getting a good charge. My main concern was that the car wouldn't be started for a few days at a time and the Engel would suffer !
When i was researching the product I was also concerned at under bonnet temps and that I still wouldn't get a good charge because the unit would "foldback". Being the paranoid traveler I also took a Projecta charger in case the battery needed a good overnight charge.
I'm happy to report that the BCDC1220 did an absolute awesome job. The marine battery spent most of its time in "float" and ran the Engel Fridge and Fluro light for days at a time without problem. We were away for 12 days and I only took a powered
camp site for one night and gave the battery an external charge, the rest was done by the Redarc. It got hot under the bonnet out on the Tanami and Buntine and the thing just worked. I'm very impressed with the unit and glad I put it in for the trip
Pete
Reply By: Mick O - Saturday, Oct 01, 2011 at 08:39
Saturday, Oct 01, 2011 at 08:39
Good to hear Pete,
Probably comes as a surprise to no-one but I’m a fan of the Redarc systems myself. I recently upgraded the 12/20 to the 12/40 with solar input. Even more impressed. We had a bit of a gathering on the Darling recently where a good friend (and EO member) was having some issues with his power needs due to running both fridge and freezer for prolonged trips. The ever ready GDEC crew soon realised that he was pretty much in a no win situation with a normal solenoid charging system. Down to
Adelaide he went and had the 12/40 and some other bits and bobs put in (by our old mate Richard at Vehicool). While only a relatively short trip
home, he seemed impressed and we will be very keen to see how it performs on another extended trip. He is also supplementing that with a couple of solar panels for those static periods. He automatically benefits though from getting the batteries up to a much higher State of Charge through the DCDC charging system. His will be another great case study for us to see what improvements have been gained (apart from him turning into a DC demon now lol).
Still really happy with both my BCDC and the BMS (and the Powersonic AGMS). They’ve been to hell and back over three rugged outback trips in the past 18 months and haven’t missed a beat. I’m just about to pull the BMS out and send it back as Redarc will update it with all the latest software and algorithms FOC. A very good Australian company in my books. Thanks for giving the the
feedback to the
forum.
Safe travels, Mick
Ute build product review - Redarc
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